As spring football approaches, all eyes are on Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day as they gear up for a fresh season. Following a tough end to the 2025 campaign, the Buckeyes have bolstered their roster with a slew of new talent from the transfer portal, poised to make an impact right from Week 1.
Among these standout additions is former Alabama defensive tackle James Smith. Smith is set to be a powerhouse in the trenches for Day and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. ESPN’s Max Olson has highlighted Smith as a top transfer addition for Ohio State, setting high expectations for this Big Ten giant.
Smith, ranked as the No. 3 defensive tackle in ESPN's transfer rankings, was a top-25 recruit when he joined the Crimson Tide. In 2025, he stepped into a starting role, recording 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks over 398 snaps. Now, he's stepping into the shoes of Kayden McDonald, the Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year, in a Buckeyes defense that’s snagged four top-100 transfers, including Alabama edge rusher Qua Russaw and safeties Earl Little Jr. from Florida State and Terry Moore from Duke.
Losing Smith is undoubtedly a blow for Alabama and head coach Kalen DeBoer, but Ohio State's compelling recruiting efforts have brought him to Columbus over other suitors. Smith's track record as a starter in 2025 speaks volumes, and he’s ready to make an even bigger splash in his first year with the Buckeyes, who are already eyeing a College Football Playoff title run.
With exciting new talent on both sides of the ball, Smith and his fellow transfers are expected to perform at an elite level. They aim to help Ohio State move past the sting of last season's losses to Indiana in the Big Ten title game and Miami in the College Football Playoff. James Smith is set to be a focal point next season, and for good reason.